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Kansas City Royals closer Joakim Soria will undergo reconstructive elbow surgery April 3 and will miss the season.

Soria made the decision Friday after being examined by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. for a third opinion. He had already been diagnosed with right elbow ligament damage by the Royals physicians and Dr. Lewis Yocum, who will perform the surgery in Los Angeles.

Soria left the game Sunday against Cleveland with pain in his elbow. Soria, a two-time all-star, who has 160 saves the past five seasons, also missed the 2003 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Manager Ned Yost said in Soria's absence the three candidates to close games for the Royals are Jonathan Broxton, Greg Holland and Aaron Crow.